I saw the teaser, and I really liked the the entire marketing angle and the "encrypted" stuff to harvest emails, but the video of the wake, as dark as it was didn't look that great, but if it does tomorrow, awesome.

I care. Malibu cares. The largest wakeboat manufacturer just sunk a ton of cash into developing something specifically for the wakesurfing market. This is a HUUUGE deal. Wakesurfing is taking off and I'm onboard. Bring the innovation!

Always thought something through the Hull Flow was an idea ...... then I saw some guy had designed a gate to open up either side to pull water through to use instead of ballast ..... he was looking for investor dollars!! Looked like the absolute simplest way to do it!! I'll see if I can find the link .....

def not the first wake to wake transfer, when RJ did it, we knew others have done before. Still cool to see new wakesurf tech. I am guessing that gate opens and throws the boat down on the opposite side? Malibu seems to like the use of tech that produces more drag, with that and the wedge, is surfing going to be 10GPH? The mike murphy idea above seems cool because it won't cause more drag, just displacement.

I do think its pretty cool that the surfgate thing, at least as it is shown, doesn't look like a copy of anything else I have seen, pretty unique.

Side to side fast is not that critical to us except during a comp or something like that. Its nice, but normally, even when it takes now only a couple mins, we still jump in and swim, and 15 is no problem. It was about 15 on the RZ2 without the cross over. That said, its new R&D and tech for the sport, and that is very cool, I love seeing that no matter what company.

@shawn, Would you prefer that over weight on your boat? Honest question, curious. On my lake, I passed on a switchblade and I don't think we could ever use something like that or a wedge. We get so much debris on our lake from April through June. Waterlogged wood, huge logs sometimes that are just under the surface and very hard to see. I don't think it would be an option for me. Through june we are constantly hitting stuff, you can't avoid it. It doesn't damage the boat because so soft, and most the gorrilla fins will knock them out before the prop. Sometimes the prop hits, but you just reverse and forward a few times, it clears out and all good. I think that murphy idea would work, or purevert would work, but not stuff that hangs off.

For the record, this doesn't necessarily blow up my skirt, but that purevert system you have does. 1000 lbs in seconds is very cool to me.

I really wonder how many of you know it alls out there really understand what a convex V hull really is.? You keep knocking the most fuel efficient design out there. When your only using 3 to 3.5 gallons of fuel a hour,your saving money! The single biggest expense of owning a boat besides the purchase price is FUEL!

I really wonder how many of you know it alls out there really understand what a convex V hull really is.? You keep knocking the most fuel efficient design out there. When your only using 3 to 3.5 gallons of fuel a hour,your saving money! The single biggest expense of owning a boat besides the purchase price is FUEL!

Beware the Smurf that spouts marketing pap because he has most of his (really small) self-worth tied up in his (constantly posted) blue boat.

@shawn, I hear you, my taps plate did break, by the way, but I think it was just a manufacturer defect of the bennett actuator. I think it doesn't get hammered, because to get to it, the wood has to not be deflected by the gorrilla fins, the prop and rudder to get to the taps plate, and it is smooth and doesn't hang down much. Maybe the malibu animation is just showing how they move, but they actually don't stick out to far. But lots of debris would smack that area, because I see it role around the bow and straight down the sides.

Agree on the xstar and g23, don't have much to do with wakesurfing.

On one hand I would say I am not a big fan of hanging anything off of my boat or causing drag, but yet on the other hand would probably hang just about anything off of my boat if it really made a difference in the wake, go figure.

Maybe they will put out some videos where you can really see it in action, that would be cool.

Beware the Smurf that spouts marketing pap because he has most of his (really small) self-worth tied up in his (constantly posted) blue boat.

Get over your lame self already!

Super Ego lets go surfing you use your boat of choice and first one who uses the most gas in 1 hour buys the others gas all summer. What does a smart azz like you think of your chances to back up your manure now Super pee wee!!

Whether it is a step forward or back, Surfgate marks another step in the evolution of wakesurfing. Ballast pumps, fat sacs, Power Wedge, TAPS plate, Switchblade, all play a part in pushing the sport forward. To continue the progression, we need major boat manufacturers to pour $$ into wake surfing development each year. When something works, it will be imitated by others. When it doesn't, the manufacturers and consumers can move in a different direction. It's shows progression that Malibu Didn't just rest it's marketing on the Power Wedge, but continued to try develop a better surf boat. Whatever boat company u prefer, if u love wakesurfing, you want this type of change from one or two companies every year, to continue the progression.

What's next? Today we need other surf boat competitors to either say "we need something like Surfgate", or else "we can do better than Surfgate ". Then put the $$$ into R&D, to create the next great Wave.

Surf gate so far sounds like and awesome idea, I can't wait to see real user reviews on it. Seems like surf gate will be progressing our sport forward. It's a great idea and kudos for thinking outside the box.

If you are into surfing, the fact that Malibu is (1) spending money on R&D and (2) taking to market surf specific boats/ballast should excite you no matter what brand you are loyal to. The reason being is that now your manufacturer will have to step up to the plate.

As for the Surf gate, it is pretty cool. I dont think the wave is that great with stock ballast so it is going to defeat some of the purpose of it because you are going to have to add more weight to get a better wave (unless you want to run a ton of weight on both sides just so you can switch on the fly instead of around 10min with any other brand). I think it would be really cool if you could have the surf gate with a 4,00lbs quick fill system (2,000lbs on each side). Then you really could switch sides in under 60 seconds.

Note: @CWB4ME: I surf all day with 2,500lbs at 2,800 rpms and burn under 5 gallons an hr. So yea to the convex hull. Also, why are you commenting on anything other than whether or not you think the Malibu surfgate will work or not.

If you are into surfing, the fact that Malibu is (1) spending money on R&D and (2) taking to market surf specific boats/ballast should excite you no matter what brand you are loyal to. The reason being is that now your manufacturer will have to step up to the plate.

As for the Surf gate, it is pretty cool. I dont think the wave is that great with stock ballast so it is going to defeat some of the purpose of it because you are going to have to add more weight to get a better wave (unless you want to run a ton of weight on both sides just so you can switch on the fly instead of around 10min with any other brand). I think it would be really cool if you could have the surf gate with a 4,00lbs quick fill system (2,000lbs on each side). Then you really could switch sides in under 60 seconds.

Note: @CWB4ME: I surf all day with 2,500lbs at 2,800 rpms and burn under 5 gallons an hr. So yea to the convex hull. Also, why are you commenting on anything other than whether or not you think the Malibu surfgate will work or not.

I didn't say it wouldn't work. I said it Wasn't fuel efficient. I must not have made myself clear. Sorry.

Surf Gate brings the ability to surf behind the boat on a great wake at the push of a button and not hours of loading weight. And this is only the beginning, there's more to come on the Surf Gate radar.

Watching that video with Grubb on the back of the boat, it seems very cool, no doubt, but I have no idea where this "hours of loading weight" and "40 mins to switch" is coming from. We load our weight during the ~10 min ride through the no wake area out of our marina and are ready to go. Then we switch in 3-4 mins. That is faster than some, not as fast as others, but I would bet that any newer stock system or stock with plug and play like from Centurion, MB and Tige, what I am doing is within the norm.

I think what is appealing to the new surfers is the instantly ready to surf wave. Adjusting it for skim or surf style boards hasn't been discussed. But it's easy for the new surfer to switch sides if necessary.

C-3P0 how do you know that the surfgate is going to be less fuel efficient than... lets say your Tige RZ2?. If your saying this then surly you must have ridden the Malibu boat numerous times to come to this conclusion. If this new system isn't appealing to you then you must be an old surfer because apparently its only appealing to new surfers.

Who really cares about fuel efficiency anyways? I don't get it, one of the big 3 comes out with a new innovation, though untested, and the best thing anyone could say is "all that drag" is going to increase fuel economy.

As an engineer I see the merits of the system based on the info we have and even if you hate bu, you gotta love brands putting themselves out there with new tech. Wonder if bu will license this to other brands?

Who really cares about fuel efficiency anyways? I don't get it, one of the big 3 comes out with a new innovation, though untested, and the best thing anyone could say is "all that drag" is going to increase fuel economy.

As an engineer I see the merits of the system based on the info we have and even if you hate bu, you gotta love brands putting themselves out there with new tech. Wonder if bu will license this to other brands?

So is it worth 90 grand for this convenience?I don't know about you but besides the cost of the boat fuel is your biggest expense. I usually put about 125 hours on my boat each year so yes i consider fuel costs.

Surf Gate brings the ability to surf behind the boat on a great wake at the push of a button and not hours of loading weight. And this is only the beginning, there's more to come on the Surf Gate radar.

Only about 5 to 7 minutes to fill the 1200 lbs of ballast.It takes me about the same time to fill my surf ballast only i can't switch sides as quickly.But since i only surf on one side it's okay with me.

Only about 5 to 7 minutes to fill the 1200 lbs of ballast.It takes me about the same time to fill my surf ballast only i can't switch sides as quickly.But since i only surf on one side it's okay with me.

CWB4Me, what has Tige done lately besides put lights in their tower and mesh in their seats?

Whether it is a step forward or back, Surfgate marks another step in the evolution of wakesurfing. Ballast pumps, fat sacs, Power Wedge, TAPS plate, Switchblade, all play a part in pushing the sport forward. To continue the progression, we need major boat manufacturers to pour $$ into wake surfing development each year. When something works, it will be imitated by others. When it doesn't, the manufacturers and consumers can move in a different direction. It's shows progression that Malibu Didn't just rest it's marketing on the Power Wedge, but continued to try develop a better surf boat. Whatever boat company u prefer, if u love wakesurfing, you want this type of change from one or two companies every year, to continue the progression.

What's next? Today we need other surf boat competitors to either say "we need something like Surfgate", or else "we can do better than Surfgate ". Then put the $$$ into R&D, to create the next great Wave.

I agree! Maybe someone sees the gates and has a light bulb moment then spawns another idea that's even better, that's what I hope for. It could be just the start of surfing innovations and we all benefit from it. It's not going to get me to buy a Malibu (I don't their looks personally) but it's something that others can work off of/with.

I like the looks of most Malibu's . I would have to see the surfgate in action and feel the push from the wave.Then i could give it a thumbs up or down.As for the new Z3,you should surf behind one properly weighted before you knock it Troy.

I like the looks of most Malibu's . I would have to see the surfgate in action and feel the push from the wave.Then i could give it a thumbs up or down.As for the new Z3,you should surf behind one properly weighted before you knock it Troy.

Truthfully I have never been behind a Tige as I wouldn't want any of my friends to see me behind one.

Me and MHunter were on Lake Powell the other day and we blew the tranny on our prototype G23 while jumping wake to wake with no ballast 250 feet back. A Z3 drove by a couple times (i forget how many) before we noticed it and he towed us back to shore although he got bad gas mileage for doing it because towing our non-production G created lots of drag.

We then test drove a MB and ordered a new XStar for 2017 delivery. XStar ver. 8.1 I think it was. The hull was made of billet.

Wanted to post a few pics and a vid of the crew over at Smooth Water Sports in Gansevoort, NY...apparently they got their hands on a 2013 Malibu 23 LSV with Surfgate installed, and the wave looks pretty damn nice for stock! No trick video, no night riding...it's the real deal!

Here's what they say they're running: Factory ballast, Power Wedge, a 750 bag in each rear locker and a 400 bag in the bow @ 11.5 mph

Wanted to post a few pics and a vid of the crew over at Smooth Water Sports in Gansevoort, NY...apparently they got their hands on a 2013 Malibu 23 LSV with Surfgate installed, and the wave looks pretty damn nice for stock! No trick video, no night riding...it's the real deal!

Here's what they say they're running: Factory ballast, Power Wedge, a 750 bag in each rear locker and a 400 bag in the bow @ 11.5 mph

I'm confused, is that wake stock, bc you say factory ballast in addition to 750 and 400 bags. My Sanger throws a similar wave with factory ballast and the above weight as well w/o a wedge or surfgate.

Always a good thing when boat manufactures are trying to make wakesurf specific boats though!!

^^^ absolutely stellar. As an engineer dealing with improving technology I'd say that this is the real game changing technology of the year! Sorry star and g.

New tricks have been done by multiple riders behind the Nautique G23 and the X-star has a massive wake too.We still need to hear from some pro surfers not affiliated with Malibu to hear how the wake really stacks up.All surf gate has changed is the speed you can change from side to side. Also no list surfing.Props for those changes!

New tricks have been done by multiple riders behind the Nautique G23 and the X-star has a massive wake too.We still need to hear from some pro surfers not affiliated with Malibu to hear how the wake really stacks up.All surf gate has changed is the speed you can change from side to side. Also no list surfing.Props for those changes!

We got a chance to get out on a 23 with Surfgate today. The boat had not been broken in yet, so we did not get to ride it. We are scheduled to get out behind it next Tuesday.

Today, the boat was weighted:
Full Factory stock ballast (250 in each rear corner, 500 in belly, 350 in front. All hard tanks)
750lb sacs on each side of motor compartment in rear
Wedge in full-down position
Speeds varied from 9.5-11.5 (Surfgate has an auto-shut at 12.5ish)

First impressions:
It's simple!!! The "gates" are not huge and work quickly.

The wakes look pretty clean and do have a "lip" on them that is tough to see from pics/videos seen to date.
The platform has been cut-off/downsized with angles

It appears that it will be easy to adjust the length of the wakes. There were 3 of us in the boat. As we moved around, the wake length and height was easily changed.

The boat drove well!! (I may be too used to driving a boat with #4000lbs on the port side) But I had under-estimated the ease and agility of an evenly-weighted boat.

TBD list:
How much push/drive is held in that wake?? TBD....
How would it handle a ton of extra one-side weight? Would it push over/around the Surfgate? TBD.....

^^ I agree with James, I’d rather sit and wait.....Love that barrel shot!

Like I said, my boat isn't a great surf boat. I could likely never get a wave like the above.

You've got to compare apples to apples. That wave above is sick. I'd love to see what it would look like with a surfgate and even weight, though.

Also, I get that there is a core group of wakesurfers that would rather wait and have a bigger wave. It's totally understandable. For me, it's about speed of switching. Same ballast setup for wakeboarding, goofy surfing and regular surfing is a huge benfit to my day. As you can see from the video, I'm really not even good at surfing, so the perfect wave isn't really needed.

it's a cool innovation, and good that a few boat companies are willing to design boats, hulls, and accessories to improve the sport of wake surfing. It's made it possible to surf both sides, with a pretty clean wave ,within seconds in the same ride. The concept is simple, yet I don't recall anyone doing it before this summer. It probably won't make a massive wake, since you are evenly weighting the boat, but it will be cool to surf wake to wake just like wakeboarding,... only wireless. Certainly not going to stop me or anyone else from weighting down one side and going big, just a new way to have fun behind the boat.

Evenly weighting a boat doesn't stop from building a massive wakeboard wake why would it be any different for a surf wave?

exactly. My wave video posted was probably 30% of the ballast that most people run (malibu is probably doing their vids with stock ballast) and it was already looking pretty decent. Put 3k of ballast in a proven surf boat with a surfgate, and I think there will be a lot of impressed people.

I'm sure this is heresy, but c'mon guys, having "the biggest wakesurf wake" is sortof like being the tallest midget or having the fastest minibike, isn't it? We're talking about people creating, at best 3' waves, which is basically weaksauce ocean surf waves.

It's fun don't get me wrong, but it's not a whole lot different from bowling or horseshoes in the athleticism category. Great passtimes, but if you can do it with a beer in your hand, it's not really a sport.

I will say this though, if I had spend 60/70/80k on a boat SPECIFICALLY for the purpose of wakesurfing, I would be demanding a pretty fantastic wave... I'd probably be demanding the boat give me blow jobs for the price too, but that's besides the point.

people take wakeboarding, skiing and surfing too serious. Its a hobby, there is "no real sport here" its just for fun. It will never be mainstream, lets be serious. wakeboats have become more statis related than sport related. Most people just buy them cause they look cool, have a great open seating area and cost a lot. just like hi end sports cars. Most are never hitting a race track, they spend most of there time in the garage and people spend more time talking about having one than using one. JUST LIKE WAKEBOATS, and just like this forum, I am guilty as well, its a hobby, lets keep it that way, fun for everyone. too much concern over who has the biggert wake, what colors look cool or not, what surfs the best, there all overpriced toys and we are all wrapped up in it